Radio frequency selection device, a radio communication system and radio control channel establishing method

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a radio frequency selection device in a radio communication system in which a radio communication channel is established between a mobile station and a base station by allocating a radio communication frequency band different from other radio communication system frequency bands, specifically relates to such a radio frequency selection device, a radio communication system and a radio control channel establishing method that can realize high quality transmission of the control information, highly accurate control and effective use of frequency resources.

Recently, demands for mobile communication services are rapidly increasing, and it is desired to realize high speed and large capacity communication services such as motion video or high speed data transfer, as well as conventional audio or low speed data transfer. Accordingly, in future mobile communication services, broad frequency bands should be secured to support low speed data communication to high speed and large capacity data communication.

However, frequency resources are limited and it is difficult to secure broad frequency bands, and therefore it is desired to provide communication methods capable of utilizing frequencies effectively. Radio communication systems have been already developed in a variety of ways, and users can receive a variety of services. However there is a problem in that service areas are not secured well enough when a new system is introduced, as when a new radio communication system is proposed and commercially utilized, in which plural different frequency bands are used for the effective use of frequency and broad service areas (See Non-Patent Document No. 1).

In the PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) system, for example, both bands of 800 MHz and 1.5 GHz are used (See Non-Patent Document No. 2). Mobile stations and base stations in this PDC system can utilize radio channels belonging to 800 MHz band or 1.5 GHz band. In this method, during a waiting mode or an audio communication operation mode, a frequency channel is allocated from candidates belonging to any band of 800 MHz or 1.5 GHz. In this manner, it is possible to shift to the 1.5 GHz band from the 800 MHz band in which traffic is extremely congested. A frequency band used for waiting by a mobile station is selected among these two bands, based on band transfer probability reported by the network. With respect to audio communication operations, the mobile station measures radio wave conditions of both frequency bands to secure available frequencies, and selects an adequate frequency band that could satisfy a desired quality and maintain the communications.

Non-Patent Document No. 3 proposes a network structure and a control method that integrates each system seamlessly in case where plural different radio communication systems are established in the same area. In this network structure, different radio communication systems and base stations belonging thereto are constructed independently in accordance with each environment. Mobile stations can be connected to any of the systems, and can establish basic access network for transmitting control signal among the systems.

By controlling plural communication channels, it becomes possible to utilize frequency resources effectively, secure service areas and improve throughput. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0007">[Non-Patent Document No. 1] <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0008">R. Heichkero, et al., “Ericsson Seamless Network, “Ericsson Review, No. 2, pp. 76-83, 2002.</li></ul></li><li id="ul0001-0002" num="0009">[Non-Patent Document No. 2] <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li id="ul0003-0001" num="0010">“1.5 GHz band common usage. System Summary” by Ikeshita, Fukazawa and Masuda, NTT DoCoMo Technical Journal, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 6-14, April, 2003.</li><li id="ul0003-0002" num="0011">“MIRAI Architecture for Heterogeneous Network,” by G. Wu, et al., IEEE Communication Magazine, No. 2, pp. 126-134, February 2002.</li></ul></li></ul>

However, the above explained related art examples have the following problems.

Although the above systems can integrally manage radio channels for transmitting control signal, it is necessary to construct a new base access networking addition to the already existing radio channels. It is also necessary to prepare enough line capacity for transferring control information.

It is difficult to secure an adequate radio control channel for each system in consideration of required control information amount. Generally, as the frequency band becomes higher, available signal bandwidth becomes broader and a user information transmission amount becomes larger. In this situation, an amount of control information necessary for maintaining communication is expected to become larger as the user information transmission amount. However, in the basic access network, it is difficult to flexibly secure radio control channels in accordance with the varied control information transmission amount.

In the above prior examples, the control is performed based on measured results of received signals, but frequency characteristics of radio transmission signals are not considered.

When establishing radio control channels using different frequency bands, differences in information amounts between the user information and the control information, and coverage area to which the control information is transmitted are not considered. In practice, it is necessary to consider propagation characteristics in the real environment, fading effect, difference in securable frequency bandwidth, information amount difference between the user information and the control information, quality required for the control information and coverage area to which the control information is transmitted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency selection device, a radio communication system and a radio control channel establishing method that can establish radio control channels in consideration of characteristics of each frequency band.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a radio frequency selection device in a radio communication system in which a radio communication channel is established between a mobile station and a base station by allocating a radio communication frequency band different from other radio communication system frequency bands, characterized by: a frequency band determining unit that determines a radio control channel frequency band for transmitting control information, among frequency bands allocated to the radio communication system, based on the allocated radio communication channel frequency band; and a radio control channel establishing unit that establishes a radio control channel among the determined radio control channel frequency bands.

According to another feature of the present invention, a radio communication system in which a radio communication channel is established between a mobile station and a base station by allocating a radio communication frequency band different from other radio communication system frequency bands is provided, which is characterized by: a frequency band determining unit that determines a radio control channel frequency band for transmitting control information, among frequency bands allocated to the radio communication system, based on the allocated radio communication channel frequency band; and a radio control channel establishing unit that establishes a radio control channel among the determined radio control channel frequency bands.

According to another feature of the present invention, a radio control channel establishing method in a radio communication system in which a radio communication channel is established between a mobile station and a base station by allocating a radio communication frequency band different from other radio communication system frequency bands is provided, which is characterized by the steps of: determining a radio communication channel between the mobile station and the base station; determining a radio control channel frequency band for transmitting control information, among frequency bands allocated to the radio communication system, based on the allocated radio communication channel frequency band; and establishing a radio control channel among the determined radio control channel frequency band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an explanatory chart showing system frequencies and their allocation in multi-cellular system to which the present invention is applicable;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an explanatory chart showing characteristic differences between high and low frequency bands;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic view illustrating geological service areas of plural cellular systems to which the present invention is applicable;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an explanatory chart showing a multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> are schematic views illustrating cell structures of multi-band mobile communication systems according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart showing procedures in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a graph explaining frequency band candidates in a multi-band control method according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a graph explaining frequency band candidates in a multi-band control method according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart showing procedures in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is an explanatory graph explaining classification by control subject used in the multi-band control method in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is an explanatory graph explaining a frequency determination rule used in the multi-band control method in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is an explanatory graph explaining frequency determination examples in the multi-band control method in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a block diagram showing a base station structure example in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a block diagram showing a mobile station structure example in the multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a block diagram showing a multi-band mobile communication system structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a sequence chart illustrating a control sequence in a multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a block diagram showing a multi-band mobile communication system structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a sequence chart illustrating a control sequence in a multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a block diagram showing a multi-band mobile communication system structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a sequence chart illustrating control sequence in a multi-band mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is a description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Throughout all the figures, members and parts having the same or similar functions are assigned the same or similar reference numerals or symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows an example of system frequency allocation to each cellular system in a multi-band mobile communication system, to which the present invention can be applied. The multi-band communication system utilizes a different frequency band for each of plural cellular systems.

In this embodiment, system frequencies are assigned to three cellular systems <b>11</b>, <b>12</b> and <b>13</b> having the same communication system. These three systems are not overlapped in their frequency bands. Frequency band <b>21</b> is assigned as a system band for the cellular system <b>11</b>. Frequency band <b>22</b> is assigned as a system band for the cellular system <b>12</b>. Frequency band <b>23</b> is assigned as a system band for the cellular system <b>13</b>.

Since the assigned frequency bands are different from each other, each cellular system has different propagation characteristics between mobile and base stations and has a different system frequency bandwidth (that is, capacity) securable to each system.

Differences in the propagation characteristics and in the system frequency bandwidths due to different frequency bands are explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

Propagation loss between the mobile station and the base station varies depending on used frequency band as well as a distance between the mobile station and the base station. The propagation loss for low frequency band is smaller than that for high frequency band. Therefore, the faraway base or mobile station can receive larger reception power when a lower frequency band is utilized.

When radio waves penetrate buildings and so on, the penetration loss is smaller for low frequency bands. Therefore an indoor mobile station can receive larger reception power when using low frequency bands, compared with high frequency bands.

Under a multi-fading environment, variation (or fluctuation) cycles of a reception power variation and a reception phase variation due to mobile station's moving are longer or slower for low frequency bands, compared with high frequency bands. The variations for low frequency bands are slow with respect to the moving speed of the mobile station, and therefore can follow fading well.

In general, high frequency bands can bring broad frequency bandwidth per one system and allow large system capacity.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3A and 3B</figref> show cell establishing structures of each cellular system as shown in FIG. <b>1</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref>, when these three cellular systems establish the same cell structure, each cellular system can share the same base stations. The propagation characteristics between base and mobile stations depend on frequency band only, so multi-band control can be realized by a simple construction.

On the other hand, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>, a higher frequency band system has smaller cells, and the three cellular systems establish different cell size structures. In this situation, cell structures can be established by considering the propagation characteristics of each frequency band. However, each base station must be provided for each cellular system, and complex multi-band control is needed while considering differences in the propagation characteristics between the base and mobile stations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> schematically shows a concept of a multi-band mobile communication system according to this embodiment of the present invention.

When a call is generated, it is required to allocate a radio communication channel and a radio control channel to the call. The radio communication channel is a channel in which a mobile station and a base station exchanges user information. The radio control channel is a channel in which pieces of control information are transmitted for establishing, maintaining and managing call communication link and connection.

After calling, a frequency band used for the radio communication channel is determined, and a radio communication channel is allocated to transmit the user information. In addition, a frequency band used for the radio control channel is determined, and a radio control channel is allocated to transmit the control information.

When allocating the radio communication channel, propagation characteristics for each frequency band and conditions required for user information are considered. The propagation characteristics are determined based on information reported from base stations in each cellular system.

When establishing the radio control channel, its frequency band is considered. It is possible to determine the optimal frequency band used for transmitting the control information, considering at least a part of information about the control information (kinds of control information, amount of control information, desired quality of control information), control accuracy (transmission quality, transmission delay), frequency band used for radio communication channel for transmitting caller's user information, system information (radio resource and network structure of each cellular system), frequency availability, propagation characteristics (transmission loss, building penetration loss) for each frequency band, and so on.

More specifically, kinds of control information include control information for maintaining transmission quality of the radio communication channel in physical layer regarding control subjects, and include control information against control subjects, such as calling control in a higher layer.

The amount of control information is calculated based on kinds of control information and on how frequent the control information is transmitted. When high speed transmission is performed utilizing a high frequency band, amounts of information required for maintaining transmission quality and control information required for controlling callings are increased.

The desired qualities with respect to the control information may be bit error rates in accordance with the kinds of control information, or tolerable control delay time, and so on. These qualities should be considered since the control accuracy depends on the control information qualities.

Information with respect to the frequency band used for the radio communication channel for transmitting caller's user information may include, for example, received signal power or bit error rate in the radio communication channel.

The system information may include networking structure information such as existence of higher stations, and transmission delay between base stations in each system. The system information may further include radio resource information such as the number of radio control channels securable in each system, and availability of the radio control channels.

According to the embodiment in which user information and control information are transmitted via different cellular systems, it is possible to realize highly accurate resource control by considering information such as the existence of higher stations and transmission delay in each system, and radio control channel availability in each cellular system.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> schematically show system structures of multi-band mobile communication systems according to this embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> shows an example that the three cellular systems establish the same cell structure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> shows an example that the three cellular systems establish hierarchical structure using different cell sizes.

Each cellular system is provided with plural base stations <b>31</b>, <b>32</b> and <b>33</b> that transmit radio signals over frequency bands <b>21</b>, <b>22</b> and <b>23</b>, respectively.

In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, base stations <b>31</b>₁, <b>32</b>₁and <b>33</b>₁for corresponding cellular systems are located at the same relative position. Similarly, base stations <b>31</b>₂, <b>32</b>₂and <b>33</b>₂for corresponding cellular systems are located at the same relative position. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref>, base stations <b>31</b>₁, <b>32</b>₁and <b>33</b>₁for corresponding cellular systems are located at different relative positions. Coverage is different from base station to base station.

On the other hand, mobile stations <b>4</b>₁, <b>4</b>₂, <b>4</b>₃and <b>4</b>₄can receive any radio signal over frequency bands <b>21</b>, <b>22</b> and <b>23</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) and can be connected to any base station. The mobile stations <b>4</b>₁, <b>4</b>₂, <b>4</b>₃and <b>4</b>₄can establish a radio communication channel for transmitting user information and a radio control channel for establishing, maintaining and managing communication link and connection, independently over the same frequency band or different frequency bands.

The mobile station <b>4</b>₁, for example, establishes a radio communication channel over the frequency band <b>23</b> for transmitting user information to the base station <b>33</b>₁, and establishes a radio control channel over the frequency band <b>22</b> lower than the frequency band <b>23</b> for transmitting control information to the base station <b>32</b>₁. In this manner, it is possible to determine the optimal frequency band for transmitting the control information, in accordance with kinds of control information, amount of control information, desired control quality (transmission quality and control delay), cellular system availability, frequency availability, propagation characteristics of each frequency band, and so on.

Next, multi-band control procedure in the multi-band mobile communication system according to the embodiment is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

A call is generated at step S<b>602</b>. After the call generation, radio communication channel frequency band is determined for transmitting user information between a base station and a mobile station, and a radio communication channel is allocated at step S<b>604</b>.

Next, candidates for radio control channel are detected based on the radio communication channel frequency band at step S<b>606</b>. The radio control channel is a channel for establishing, maintaining and managing this call's communication link and connection.

A frequency band for establishing radio control channel is determined in accordance with the conditions required for the control information to be transmitted and the propagation characteristics of each frequency band at step <b>608</b>. A radio control channel is established among the determined frequency band at steps S<b>610</b>, S<b>612</b>.

The frequency band candidates detected at step S<b>606</b> is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>.

With respect to radio communication channel frequency bands f₁; f₂; and f₃, radio control channel frequency band candidates f₁; f₁and f₂; and f₁, f₂and f₃are selected, respectively. Herein f₁is the system frequency band <b>21</b>, f₂is the system frequency band <b>22</b> and f₃is the system frequency band <b>23</b>, and f₁&lt;f₂&lt;f₃.

In this manner, the radio control channel is established based on a common control channel containing common control information such as system information and cell information transmitted from each radio base station. The radio control channel is selected from among the frequency bands that are the same as or lower than the radio communication channel frequency band used for transmitting user information of the call, and therefore the control information can be transmitted with transmission quality that is the same as or better than that of the radio communication channel.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, with respect to radio communication channel frequency bands f₁; f₂; and f₃, radio control channel frequency band candidates f₁; f₁; and f₂may be selected. Herein f₁is the system frequency band <b>21</b>, f₂is the system frequency band <b>22</b> and f₃is the system frequency band <b>23</b>, and f₁&lt;f₂&lt;f₃.

In this manner, by arranging radio communication channel frequency bands of each cellular system in order and simply selecting a radio control channel frequency band that is the same as or lower by one level than the radio communication frequency band for each cellular system, it is possible to easily determine the radio control channel frequency bands by simple procedure. The radio control channel is selected among the frequency bands that are the same as or lower than the radio communication channel frequency band used for transmitting user information of the call, and therefore the control information can be transmitted with transmission quality that is the same as or better than that of the radio communication channel. It is possible to establish the radio control channel, considering a ratio of control information amount to user information transmitted over the radio communication channel and the quality required for control information. For example, if the radio communication frequency bands <b>21</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>23</b> are arranged in upward order, and a radio communication channel is established at the frequency band <b>22</b>, then its corresponding radio control channel is established at the frequency band <b>21</b>.

A control channel determining procedure in the multi-band control procedure is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

A call is generated at step S<b>902</b>. After the call generation, a radio communication channel frequency band is determined for transmitting user information between a base station and a mobile station, and a radio communication channel is allocated at step S<b>904</b>.

Next, candidates for a radio control channel are detected based on the radio communication channel frequency band at step S<b>906</b>. The radio control channel is a channel for establishing, maintaining and managing this call's communication link and connection.

Next, control information is classified by control subjects at step S<b>908</b>. With respect to each of the classified control information items, a radio control channel frequency band is determined in accordance with its required condition and propagation characteristics at step S<b>910</b>.

If radio control channel frequency bands have not been determined for all control information (NO at step S<b>912</b>), the procedure goes back to step S<b>910</b>. On the other hand, if radio control channel frequency bands have been determined for all control information (YES at step S<b>912</b>), the procedure goes to step S<b>914</b>, where a radio control channel among the determined frequency bands is allocated to each control information items.

If radio control channels have not been allocated for all the control information (NO at step S<b>916</b>), the procedure goes back to step S<b>914</b>. On the other hand, If radio control channels have been allocated for all the control information (YES at step S<b>916</b>), the allocation is completed at step S<b>918</b>.

The frequency band candidates at step S<b>906</b> are detected based on the rules explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

An example method of classifying control information at step S<b>908</b> is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. The control information to be transmitted for establishing, maintaining and managing the call communication link and connection is classified by control subjects and purposes.

When the control subject is communication quality control such as communication channel transmission power control in a physical layer, low control-delay is required to realize high speed control capable of following instantaneous receiving power variation. For example, when it is necessary to control high speed transmission power following fading effects for communication channels, control delay should be small.

When the control subject is communication control such as hand over control of communication channels in a physical layer, it is required to reduce control delay and transmission quality degradation for realizing high accuracy control capable of following slow reception power variation. For example, in a case where hand over control capable of following shadowing variation is performed to improve communication channel transmission quality, it is necessary to alleviate communication quality degradation to avoid errors in designating a base station to be connected.

When the control subject is call control in a physical layer, it is required to reduce transmission quality degradation for improving user information quality. For example, in a layer near to the core network, when high accuracy call control is performed, high quality transmission is expected. In this case, since the control is upper to the base stations, signal transmission between base stations has less effect.

After classifying the control information, radio control channels in different frequency bands are established for classified control information, in accordance with their information amount desired, control accuracy, and tolerable control delay. Control factors and rules for determining radio control channel frequencies in this embodiment are explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

When the amount of control information to be transmitted is large, it is desired to select a high frequency band to be used for the radio control channel, and it is preferred to select as high a frequency as possible among frequency bands lower than the radio communication channel. In this manner, it is possible to establish the optimal radio control channel that can transmit all the control information required for establishing, maintaining and managing the call communication link and connection while maintaining transmission quality higher than or the same as that of the radio communication channel. It is also possible to establish the optimal radio control channel for a variety of purposes.

When the required quality of control information transmission is high, it is desired to select a low frequency band to be used for the radio control channel, and it is preferred to select a frequency as much lower as possible than the radio communication channel frequency band. In this manner, it is possible to establish a radio control channel that can highly accurately transmit all the control information necessary for establishing, maintaining and managing the call communication link and connection.

When the tolerable control-delay is small, it is desired to select a radio control channel frequency band that is the same as that of the radio communication channel. In this manner, it is possible to establish a radio control channel capable of minimizing the control delay that occurs due to time required for processing radio signals such as processing in the radio signal processor or signal transmission between the systems.

When the required condition for coverage is narrow, it is desired to select a high frequency band to be used for the radio control channel, and it is preferred to select as high a frequency as possible, among the frequency bands lower than that of the radio communication channel. In this manner, it is possible to transmit the control signals to a wide area wider than the base station coverage because of the propagation characteristics (propagation loss, building penetration loss) and improve the control signal transmission quality.

An example method of determining radio control channels is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>.

When the automatic repeat request (ARQ) control is performed to improve the transmission quality of downlink radio communication channels, it is necessary to transmit feedback information to perform the ARQ control in the upward link. In a case where the upward link and downward link use the same frequency band, if the upward link is allocated a higher frequency than the downlink, then the upward link transmission quality is degraded due to the high frequency and limitation on mobile station transmission power.

If the feedback information is transmitted under this environment, errors occur in the feedback information transmission to degrade user information transmission quality in the downlink as a result. Therefore, only the radio control channel frequency band in the upward link is set lower than the communication channel frequency band, and high accuracy feedback control can be realized. In this case, the downward link radio control channel can use a frequency band that is the same as or different from the upward link.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, with respect to the downlink radio communication channel frequency bands f₁; f₂; and f₃, the uplink radio control channel frequency band candidates f₁; f₁and f₂; and f₁, f₂and f₃are selected, respectively. Herein f₁is the system frequency band <b>21</b>, f₂is the system frequency band <b>22</b> and f₃is the system frequency band <b>23</b>, and f₁&lt;f₂&lt;f₃.

Although the relationships between the downward link communication channels and the upward control channels are shown here, the downward link control channels and upward link communication channels may use any frequency bands.

In this manner, it is possible to reduce transmission errors in the upward link control information and improve the feedback control accuracy and the downlink transmission quality.

An example of base station structure realizing multi-band mobile communication systems according to this embodiment is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>. It is assumed that the mobile station <b>4</b>₁explained above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A</figref>, <b>5</b>B connects its radio control channel to the bases station <b>32</b>₁, and its communication channel to the base station <b>32</b>₁. It is also assumed that the mobile station <b>4</b>₂connects its radio control channel to the bases station <b>32</b>₁, and its communication channel to the base station <b>33</b>₁. Under this assumption, the base station <b>32</b>₁is explained below.

The base station <b>32</b> according to this embodiment comprises a user information transmitter <b>3201</b>, a control information transmitter <b>3203</b>, a transmission signal multiplexer (MUX) <b>3204</b> connected to the user information transmitter <b>3201</b> and the control information transmitter <b>3203</b>, and up converter <b>3205</b> connected to the MUX <b>3204</b>, a frequency synthesizer <b>3212</b> and a circulator <b>3210</b> connected to the up converter <b>3205</b>, an antenna <b>3211</b> and a down converter <b>3206</b> connected to the circulator <b>3210</b>, a received signal demultiplexer (DEMUX) <b>3207</b> and a frequency synthesizer <b>3213</b> connected to the down converter <b>3206</b>, a control information receiver <b>3209</b> and a user information receiver <b>3208</b> connected to the DEMUX <b>3207</b>, and a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> connected to the control information transmitter <b>3203</b> and the control information receiver <b>3209</b>. The transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3209</b>, the control information transmitter <b>3203</b>, the control information receiver <b>3209</b>, the frequency synthesizer <b>3212</b> and <b>3213</b> constitute a radio frequency selection device.

Since that the base station <b>32</b>, belongs to the cellular system <b>12</b>, it transmits radio signals using the system frequency band <b>22</b>. The user information transmitter <b>3201</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁generates and modulates user information to be transmitted to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and allocates a communication channel and inputs it to the MUX <b>3204</b>.

On the other hand, the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> designates a base station for transmitting/receiving control information to establish, maintain and manage communication link and connection for the calling mobile station.

In a case where the base station <b>33</b>₁and the mobile station <b>4</b>₂transmit the user information, the transmitting/receiving base station designator of the base station <b>33</b>₁designates a base station to transmit control information of the mobile station <b>4</b>₂in consideration of the propagation characteristics of each frequency band and conditions required for establishing, maintaining and managing the call's communication link and connection. For example, if the base station <b>32</b>₁is designated as the best station, the transmitting/receiving base station designator of the base station <b>33</b>₁designates that the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁should transmit the control information of the mobile station <b>4</b>₂. Based on this designation, the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁instructs the control information transmitter <b>3203</b> and the control signal receiver <b>3209</b> to establish a radio control channel with the mobile station <b>4</b>₂.

Based on the base station designation by the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b>, the control information transmitter <b>3203</b> generates and modulates control information for the mobile station <b>4</b>₂that has called to the base station <b>33</b>₁, for example. Then the control information transmitter <b>3203</b> allocates a radio control channel and inputs the control information to the MUX <b>3204</b>. The MUX <b>3204</b> multiplexes the input communication channel and control channel. The multiplexed transmission signals are up converted to the system frequency band <b>22</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁by the up converter <b>3205</b>. In this case, the frequency synthesizer <b>3212</b> designates a transmission frequency. The up converted signals are transmitted to the mobile stations <b>4</b>₁and <b>4</b>₂via the antenna <b>3211</b>, as the radio communication channel and the radio control channel.

On the other hand, a radio communication channel transmitted from the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and a radio control channel transmitted from the mobile station <b>4</b>₂are received via the antenna <b>3211</b> as multiplexed radio signals. The received multiplexed signals are down converted to the system frequency band <b>22</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁by the down converter <b>3206</b>. In this case, the frequency synthesizer <b>3213</b> designates a receiving frequency. The down converted signals are input to the DEMUX <b>3207</b>, where they are separated into radio communication channel signals transmitting user information from the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and radio control channel signals transmitting the control signals from the mobile station <b>4</b>₂and input to the user information receiver <b>3208</b> and the control information receiver <b>3209</b>.

The user information receiver <b>3208</b> receives and demodulates the communication channel separated by the DEMUX <b>3207</b>, and reproduces the user information transmitted by the mobile station <b>4</b>₁. Based on the base station designation by the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b>, the control information receiver <b>3209</b> receives and demodulates the radio control channel separated by the DEMUX <b>3207</b>, and reproduces the control information transmitted by the mobile station <b>4</b>₂.

In this base station structure, when one mobile station transmits its user information to one base station, the mobile station can transmit its control information via a different base station using a different frequency. By determining a frequency band to be used for the radio control channel in consideration of the propagation characteristics of each frequency and the conditions required for the control information, it is possible to realize highly accurate control and effective use of frequency resource.

Next, an example of mobile station structure realizing multi-band mobile communication systems according to this embodiment is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>. It is assumed that the mobile station <b>4</b>₁explained above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A</figref>, <b>5</b>B connects its radio control channel to the base station <b>31</b>₁, and its communication channel to the base station <b>32</b>₁.

The mobile station <b>4</b> according to this embodiment comprises a user information transmitter <b>401</b>, a frequency synthesizer <b>412</b>, a communication channel up converter <b>404</b> connected to the user information transmitter <b>401</b> and the frequency synthesizer <b>412</b>, a control information transmitter <b>402</b>, a frequency synthesizer <b>413</b>, a control channel up converter <b>405</b> connected to the control information transmitter <b>402</b> and the frequency synthesizer <b>413</b>, a transmission signal multiplexer (MUX) <b>406</b> connected to the communication channel up converter <b>404</b> and the control channel up converter <b>405</b>, a circulator <b>416</b> connected to the MUX <b>406</b>, an antenna <b>417</b> and a received signal demultiplexer (DEMUX) <b>407</b> connected to the circulator <b>416</b>, a control channel down converter <b>409</b> and a communication channel down converter <b>408</b> connected to the DEMUX <b>407</b>, a control information receiver <b>410</b> and a frequency synthesizer <b>414</b> connected to the control channel down converter <b>409</b>, a user information receiver <b>411</b> and a frequency synthesizer <b>415</b> connected to the communication channel down converter <b>408</b>, and a frequency band designator <b>403</b> connected to the frequency synthesizers <b>412</b>, <b>413</b>, <b>414</b> and <b>415</b>. The frequency designator <b>403</b>, the control information transmitter <b>402</b>, the control information receiver <b>410</b>, and the frequency synthesizers <b>412</b>, <b>413</b>, <b>414</b> and <b>415</b> constitute a radio frequency selection device.

The mobile station <b>4</b> (<b>4</b>₁) can connect to any of the cellular systems <b>11</b>, <b>12</b> and <b>13</b>, and can transmit radio signals using any of the system frequency bands <b>21</b>, <b>22</b> and <b>23</b>. The user information transmitter <b>401</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁generates and modulates user information to be transmitted to the base station <b>32</b>₁and allocates a communication channel and inputs it to the communication channel up converter <b>404</b>.

The control information transmitter <b>402</b> generates and modulates control information to be transmitted to the base station <b>31</b>₁and allocates a radio control channel and inputs it to the control channel up converter <b>405</b>.

The frequency designator <b>403</b> designates a system frequency band (that is a transmission channel) to be utilized in the radio communication channel and the radio control channel, and notifies the communication channel up converter <b>404</b> and the control channel up converter <b>405</b> via the frequency synthesizers <b>412</b>, <b>413</b>.

In this embodiment, the radio communication channel uses the frequency band <b>22</b>, and the radio control channel uses the frequency band <b>21</b>. Based on the designation by the frequency designator <b>403</b>, the communication channel up converter <b>404</b> up converts the communication channel to the frequency band <b>22</b> and inputs it to the MUX <b>406</b>. Similarly, the control channel up converter <b>405</b> up converts the control channel to the frequency band <b>21</b> and inputs to the MUX <b>406</b>. The MUX <b>406</b> multiplexes the radio communication channel and the radio control channel and transmits the multiplexed signals as radio signals via the antenna <b>417</b>.

On the other hand, the multiplexed radio signals of the radio communication channel transmitted from the base station <b>32</b>₁and the radio control channel transmitted from the base station <b>31</b>₁are received via the antenna <b>417</b>. The received multiplexed signals are input to the DEMUX <b>407</b>. The DEMUX <b>407</b> separates the received multiplexed signals into a radio communication channel and radio control channel and inputs them to the communication channel down converter <b>408</b> and the control channel down converter <b>409</b>, respectively.

The frequency designator <b>403</b> designates a frequency band (that is receiving frequency) to be used in the radio communication channel and the radio control channel, and notifies the communication channel down converter <b>408</b> and the control channel down converter <b>409</b> via frequency synthesizers <b>415</b> and <b>414</b>, respectively.

Based on the designation by the frequency band designator <b>403</b>, the communication down converter <b>408</b> down converts the radio communication channel separated by the DEMUX <b>407</b> from the frequency band <b>22</b>, and inputs the down converted signals to the user information receiver <b>411</b>. Similarly, based on the designation by the frequency designator <b>403</b>, the control channel down converter <b>409</b> down converts the radio control channel separated by the DEMUX <b>407</b> from the frequency band <b>21</b>, and inputs the down converted signals to the control information receiver <b>410</b>.

The user information receiver <b>411</b> receives and demodulates the communication channel output from the communication channel down converter <b>408</b>, and reproduces user information transmitted from a user information transmitting base station such as the base station <b>32</b>₁. The control information receiver <b>410</b> receives and demodulates the control channel output from the control channel down converter <b>409</b> and reproduces control information transmitted from the control information transmitting base station such as the base station <b>311</b>.

In this mobile station structure, when one mobile station transmits user information to one base station, the mobile station can transmit it via a different base station using a different frequency band. By determining a frequency band to be used for the radio control channel in consideration of the propagation characteristics of each frequency and the conditions required for the control information, it is possible to realize highly accurate control and effective use of frequency resource.

Next, an example of a multi-band mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

In the system according to this embodiment, the mobile station <b>4</b>₁explained above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A</figref>, <b>5</b>B connects its control channel to the base station <b>31</b>₁, and connects its communication channel to the base station <b>32</b>₁. In this case, the base station <b>32</b>₁connecting the communication channel determines a frequency band to be used in the control channel, and the mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines a base station to which the control channel is connected.

The base station <b>31</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device. The radio frequency selection device comprises a user information transceiver <b>3112</b>, a control information transceiver <b>3113</b>, a frequency band designator <b>3114</b>, a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3102</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>3113</b>. Similarly, the base station <b>32</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device, which comprises a user information transceiver <b>3212</b>, a control information transceiver <b>3213</b>, a frequency band designator <b>3214</b>, a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>3213</b>.

The mobile station <b>4</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device, which comprises a user information transceiver <b>418</b>, a control information transceiver <b>419</b>, a frequency band designator <b>420</b>, a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>419</b>.

The user information transceiver <b>3212</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁is connected to the user information <b>418</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, the frequency band designator <b>3214</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁is connected to the frequency band designator <b>420</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁is connected to the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3102</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁. The control information transceiver <b>3113</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁is connected to the control information transceiver <b>419</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁.

The frequency band designator <b>3214</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁providing the communication channel determines a frequency band to be used in the control channel, and notifies the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁. The transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> determines a base station (for example, the base station <b>31</b>₁) to which the mobile station <b>4</b>₁connects its control channel, and notifies the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>31</b>₁. Based on the designation by the base station <b>32</b>₁, the frequency band designator <b>420</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the frequency band designator <b>3114</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁establish a frequency band and a control channel to be used.

A control sequence is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>.

After a call is generated, the system must determine a radio communication channel that transmits user information and a radio control channel that transmits control information for establishing, maintaining and managing communication for the call. The mobile station <b>4</b>₁that has generated the call makes a request to allocate a radio communication channel and a radio control channel to base station <b>32</b>₁at step S<b>1602</b>.

In response to this request, a user information transmitting base station such as the base station <b>32</b>₁determines a radio communication channel using its own system frequency band <b>22</b> at step S<b>1604</b>. The base station <b>32</b>₁notifies (at step S<b>1606</b>) the mobile station <b>4</b>₁of the communication channel determined at step S<b>1604</b>.

The base station <b>32</b>₁determines (step S<b>1608</b>) a frequency band (for example the frequency band <b>21</b>) to be used in the radio control channel in consideration of conditions required for the control information in the communication and the propagation characteristics of each frequency, and determines a control information transmitting/receiving base station (for example, the base station <b>31</b>₁) for transmitting control information to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁using the determined frequency band, at step S<b>1610</b>. The base station <b>32</b>₁instructs the base station <b>32</b>₁determined at step S<b>1610</b> to transmit/receive the control information to/from the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, at step S<b>1612</b>.

The base station <b>31</b>₁determines a radio control channel using its own system frequency band <b>21</b>, at step S<b>1614</b>. Based on the radio control channel determined at step S<b>1614</b>, the base station <b>31</b>₁designates the control channel to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, at step S<b>1616</b>.

The determined communication channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>32</b>₁at steps S<b>1618</b>, S<b>1620</b>. The determined control channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>311</b> at steps S<b>1622</b>, S<b>1624</b>. In this manner, the transmission of the user information and the control information starts.

In this embodiment, the base station providing the communication channel can designate a frequency band to be used for the control channel.

Next, an example of a multi-band mobile communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>.

In the system according to this embodiment, a mobile station determines a frequency band to be used in a control channel and a base station to which the mobile station connects the control channel.

The system according to this embodiment is the same as the system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> except that the frequency designator <b>3214</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁is connected to the frequency designator <b>3114</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁.

The frequency band designator <b>420</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines a frequency band to be used in the control channel, and notifies the frequency band designator <b>3214</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁. The transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines a base station to which the control channel is connected, and notifies the base station <b>32</b>₁. Based on the designation by the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, the frequency band designator <b>420</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the frequency band designator <b>3114</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁establish a frequency band and a control channel to be used.

A control sequence is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>.

After a call is generated, the system must determine a radio communication channel that transmits user information and a radio control channel that transmits control information for establishing, maintaining and managing communication for the call. The mobile station <b>4</b>₁that has generated the call makes a request to allocate a radio communication channel and a radio control channel to base station <b>32</b>₁at step S<b>1802</b>.

In response to this request, a user information transmitting base station such as the base station <b>32</b>₁determines a radio communication channel using its own system frequency band <b>22</b> at step S<b>1804</b>. The base station <b>32</b>₁notifies (at step S<b>1806</b>) the mobile station <b>4</b>₁of the communication channel determined at step S<b>1804</b>.

The mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines (step <b>1808</b>) a frequency band (for example the frequency band <b>21</b>) to be used in the radio control channel in consideration of conditions required for the control information in the communication and the propagation characteristics of each frequency, and determines a control information transmitting/receiving base station (for example, the base station <b>31</b>₁) for transmitting control information to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁using the determined frequency band, at step S<b>1810</b>. The mobile station <b>4</b>₁notifies the base station <b>32</b>₁of the frequency band used for the control channel and the control information transmitting/receiving base station at steps S<b>1812</b>, S<b>1814</b>.

Based on the notice at step S<b>1814</b>, the base station <b>32</b>₁instructs the base station <b>31</b>₁to transmit/receive the control information to/from the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, at step S<b>1816</b>.

The base station <b>31</b>₁determines a radio control channel using its own system frequency band <b>21</b> at step S<b>1818</b>, and designates the control channel to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁.

Next, the determined communication channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>32</b>₁at steps S<b>1822</b>, S<b>1824</b>. The determined control channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>31</b>₁at steps S<b>1826</b>, S<b>1828</b>. In this manner, the transmission of the user information and the control information starts.

In this embodiment, the mobile station can designate a frequency band to be used for the control channel.

Next, an example of a multi-band mobile communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>.

In the system according to this embodiment also, a mobile station determines a frequency band to be used in a control channel and a base station to which the mobile station connects the control channel.

The base station <b>31</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device. The radio frequency selection device comprises a user information transceiver <b>3112</b>, a control information transceiver <b>3113</b>, a frequency band designator <b>3114</b>, a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3102</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>3113</b>. Similarly, the base station <b>32</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device, which comprises a user information transceiver <b>3212</b>, a control information transceiver <b>3213</b>, a frequency band designator <b>3214</b>, a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3202</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>3213</b>.

The mobile station <b>4</b>₁comprises a radio frequency selection device, which comprises a user information transceiver <b>418</b>, a control information transceiver <b>419</b>, a frequency band designator <b>420</b> and a transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> connected to the control information transceiver <b>419</b>. The user information transceiver <b>3212</b> of the base station <b>32</b>₁is connected to the user information transceiver <b>418</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁. The control information transceiver <b>3113</b>, the frequency band designator <b>3114</b> and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3102</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁are connected to the control information transceiver <b>419</b>, the frequency band designator <b>420</b> and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁.

The frequency band designator <b>420</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines a frequency band to be used in the control channel. The transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>421</b> of the mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines a base station (for example, the base station <b>31</b>₁) to which the control channel is connected. The determined frequency band and the control information transmitting/receiving base station are reported to the frequency band designator <b>3114</b> and the transmitting/receiving base station designator <b>3102</b> of the base station <b>31</b>₁.

A control sequence is explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>.

After a call is generated, the system must determine a radio communication channel that transmits user information and a radio control channel that transmits control information for establishing, maintaining and managing communication for the call. The mobile station <b>4</b>₁that has generated the call makes a request to allocate a radio communication channel and a radio control channel to base station <b>32</b>₁at step S<b>2002</b>.

In response to this request, the base station <b>32</b>₁determines a radio communication channel using its own system frequency band <b>22</b> at step S<b>2004</b>. The base station <b>32</b>₁notifies (at step S<b>2006</b>) the mobile station <b>4</b>₁of the communication channel determined at step S<b>2004</b>.

The mobile station <b>4</b>₁determines (step <b>2008</b>) a frequency band (for example the frequency band <b>21</b>) to be used in the radio control channel in consideration of conditions required for the control information in the communication and the propagation characteristics of each frequency, and determines a control information transmitting/receiving base station (for example, the base station <b>31</b>₁) for transmitting control information to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁using the determined frequency band, at step S<b>1810</b>. The mobile station <b>4</b>₁notifies the base station <b>31</b>₁of the frequency band used for the control channel and the control information transmitting/receiving base station at steps S<b>2012</b>. The mobile station makes a request to the base station <b>31</b>₁to allocate a radio control channel.

The base station <b>31</b>₁determines a radio control channel using its own system frequency band <b>21</b> at step S<b>2016</b>, and designates the control channel to the mobile station <b>4</b>₁, at step S<b>2018</b>.

Next, the determined communication channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>32</b>₁at steps S<b>2020</b>, S<b>2022</b>. The determined control channel is established between the mobile station <b>4</b>₁and the base station <b>31</b>₁at steps S<b>2024</b>, S<b>2026</b>. In this manner, the transmission of the user information and the control information starts.

In this embodiment, the mobile station can designate a frequency band to be used for the control channel.

In the multi-band radio communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to realize effective use of frequency resource, reliable service are availability, improved control quality, that is high quality transmission and highly accurate control, in consideration of the propagation characteristics of each frequency and the conditions required for the control information for establishing, maintaining and managing generated call's communication.

In the above explained embodiments, three cellular systems are established. The present invention, however, can be applied to two or more cellular systems that are established in the same area.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Frequency selection devices, radio communication systems and radio control channel establishing methods according to the present invention can be applied to multi-band radio communication systems whose services are provided to the same area using different frequency bands.

The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2004-174739 filed on Jun. 11, 2004 with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.